Electrically actuated implement



1942- J. YOUNG 2,268,687

ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED IMPLEMENT Filed June 2, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l I IE. 4.

Jo/m Young Filed June 2, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Snow viva John Young amamwm Patented Jan. 6, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRICALLYACTUATED IIVIPLEMENT John Young, Toledo, Ohio Application June 2, 1939,Serial No. 277,110

8 Claims.

This invention relates to electrically actuated implements and moreespecially to an appa'ratus particularly adaptable for performing workupon solid or semi-solid objects.

The invention embraces a means energized by an alternating or variableelectric current for performing various types of work upon objects bothmetallic or non-metallic, including glazed surfaces, and comprehendssuch work as etching, engraving, marking, cutting, chiseling, severing,or driving, or other similar operations upon such objects by theutilization of combined electrical and mechanical means.

The invention has for one of its objects an v improved tool or implementof this character in which the alternations of the current or changes inthe intensity of electrical energy supplies movement for operating thetool.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a reciprocableelectrically actuated implement of such character that it may be used toperform work upon non-current-conducting ob- 'jects and which is capableof imparting rapid impacts to theobjects caused primarily byalternations 'or changes of the electrical energy employed to actuatethe implement.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of thischaracter wherein the useful stroke or amplitude of the tool movementmay be readily and quickly adjusted without modifying or changing therapidity or period of the reciprocating cycles.

Still a further object of the invention resides in the provision of anelectrically actuated implement wherein the prime mover is so arrangedwith respect to the tool holder or carrier that the prime mover mayreciprocate without appreciably afiecting movement of the tool bit orits holder until the operator brings the tool bit into contact with theobject upon which work is to be performed.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this inventionsuch as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the relatedelements of the structure, to various details of construction and tocombinations of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufactureand numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration ofthe specification and drawings of a form of the invention, which may bepreferred, in which:

Figure l is an elevational view showing a form of electrically actuatedimplement of my invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view show ing the arrangement ofelements of the implement;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the apparatusshown in Figure 2 in adjusted position;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line66 of Figure 2;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a modified form of theinvention;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary isometric view showing the arrangement ofelectrical connections to the energizing coil;

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line99 of Figure 7.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the arrangement of my invention isinclusive of a solenoid core structure comprising two cylindricallyshaped elements designated I0 and H of magnetizable material preferablyfabricated of soft ferrous metal to enhance their magnetic properties,the core sections being preferably arranged in axial alignment andnormally separated by a space or air gap l2. The core sections are boredas at I4 throughout a portion of their length and in such aligned boresis positioned a resilient member or coil spring [5 of substantiallynonmagnetic material as, for example, bronze or the like, which springnormally tends to separate the core sections l0 and II. Each coresection is preferably bored throughout the remainder of its length as atH! with a bore of reduced size and the walls of the core sections arepreferably slotted longitudinally as at It for the purpose of minimizingthe formation of eddy currents in the core structure without causing alongitudinal subdivision of core sections.

The core sections l0 and H are slidably retained within a sleeve l9formed of brass or other non-magnetic material which is preferablyslotted longitudinally as at 20 to reduce the formation therein of eddyor induced currents and thereby minimize heating. Surrounding thesleeve. I9 is the insulating sleeve 25 which supports magnetizablewindings or energizing coil 26 comprising a plurality of convolutions ofinsulated wire located between the insulating disks 2! and 28. Adjacentto disk 28 are located a pair of washers of insulating material 2| and23 provided with openings to anchor the extremities of the windings orcoil terminals 26', the latter being connected to suitable currentconducting leads insulatingly carried by a cable 3| passing through anopening in the side wall of the casing 30. The cable 3i terminates in aconnecting plug 35 having current connecting prongs 35 which are adaptedto be connected to a source of commercial alternating current supply orto a variable or oscillatory current source in the con ventional manner.The insulating disks 2! and 23 which serve to hold in proper spacedrelationship and protect the lead wires or terminals of the coil 26 fromstresses transmitted through cable 3|, are separated by means of a disk22 and the several disks are held together by means of lock nuts 2 and29 threaded upon the outer surface of the reduced end hollow portion ofan extension 34 of ferrous metal which is brazed or fused to the sleevei9 as at 38, the extension 343 also being split by prolongation of theslot 20 in sleeve l9.

The casing 30 is closed at its outer end by a metallic disk or steelclosure 32 which is held in place by a screw 33 threaded into the hollowextension 36, the screw serving to removably secure the disk 32 urgingthe same into contact with the end walls of the tubular casing 33. Theother end of the casing is closed by means of a metal disk 35 having acentral opening which accommodates the sleeve l9 abutting against anenlarged shoulder 31 formed on the sleeve 69 and thereby through theaction of screw 33 the shoulder 33 retains the disk 3t in contact withthe other end of casing 30. In the arrangement illustrated, it ispreferable that the disks 32 and 36 and the casing 36 be fabricated ofmagnetizable or ferrous metal in order to provide a more completepathfor the lines of magnetic force generated by current passing through thecoil 26, which magnetic force acts upon the core sections id and ii. a

The forward extremity d0 of sleeve is is threaded to receive a member 4!and positioned in member Q! is a sleeve or bushing 43 which is inthreaded engagement as at 44 with member 4!, the member ii having at oneend an inwardly extending annular flange 45 serving to position thesleeve 33 with respect to member 6|.

The sleeve 43 is provided with a bore to slidably receive the tenonportion 46 or" a tool holder 48, the latter being formed with a shoulder69 which is accommodated in an enlarged bore 50 in the member 43, theflange d5 of member fl! serving to limit the outward movement of toolholder 48. The end of the tool holder 38 is centrally bored to receive atool or tool bit 52 and is provided with transverse slots 53 and athreaded portion 54 to threadedly receive a tool locking collet 55 whichis tapered to cause the sections of the tool holder separated by theslots 53 to be drawn down into gripping engagement with the tool whenthe collet 55 is drawn up upon portion 54 of the tool holder.

Slidably positioned in the bore in inner sleeve 43 is a striker memberhaving a tubular portion or extension 6|, upon the extremity of which issecured an anvil 62 having a tenon portion 63 which projects into andcloses the end of the tubular extension 6| and is secured thereto bymeans of welding or the like. The striker member 60 is centrally boredat its forward end to receive a reciprocable plunger 65 having anenlarged portion 66 slidable in the tubular portion 6| of member 60,there being also a coil spring or resilient member 61 positioned in thetubular portion 6!, one end of the spring 61 con-.

tacting the extremity of tenon 63 formed on the anvil 52 and the otherend contacting with the enlarged portion 63 of plunger 65, the plungerand spring being inserted into the tubular portion as before the anvil82 is amxed to the striker member Gil.

Slidably positioned upon the exterior of the tubular extension ti is awasher or disk ill and positioned between the anvil t2 and disk i0 is aresilient member or balance spring ii. I have found that the length ofthe balance spring is an important factor in the proper operation of thearrangement of my invention and with the tool holder and associatedelements in the position illustrated in Figure 2, the balance spring isof a length to be placed under very slight tension between the disk 33and the anvil 62, and because of such slight tension and the contactbetween anvil 62 and the relatively mov able core section iii, spring i5is placed under slight compressive tension.

The implement of my invention embodies means for varying the length ofthe stroke of the relatively movable core section and therefore itsimpingement pressure upon the tool holder and consequently the tool sothat such stroke may be changed or regulated, but the periodicity of thereciprocations of the core section it? remains in constant synchronismor phase with the frequency or the alternating current. To this end themember at is provided with an enlarged conically shaped portion 75 whichis provided with an internal circumferential groove it adapted toreceive a U-shaped or hairpin-like spring ll as especially illustratedin Figure 3, the spring being preferably fabricated of a plurality ofjuxtaposed sections it and is to enhance the flexibility of the springaction. The sections 78 and 13 of the spring are preferably heldtogether by means of a small sleeve 88. It is to be noted that the apexand end portions of the spring are confined in the groove 16 asparticularly illustrated in Figure 3 and that the opposing leg portionsof the spring contact the facets 82 of the polygonal or non-circularportion 37 of the sleeve i9. Thus, the operator of the implement maymanually rotate member M with respect to the casing 30 and due to theresiliency of the spring 77 member 4! may be adjusted so as to move thesleeve 33 and the tool holder 48 relative to the core section it andanvil 62 to regulate the length of stroke of the relatively movable coresection it as the movement of sleeve 43 toward the casing compresses thebalance spring H consequently compressing the spring 55 and bringing thecore sections I 0 and ii closer together to decrease the gap l2therebetween. Thus, as the gap i2 is decreased in size by adjustment ofmember ll the springs l5 and H are placed under additional or increasedeompressive stress, the stroke or reciprocatory movement of the coresection III is correspondingly decreased. The resiliency of the legportions of spring 11 engaging with the polygonal portion 31 of sleeveI9 causes the parts to remain in their adjusted position.

The exterior periphery of tenon 46 of the tool holder is of polygonal ornon-circular configuration to fit a correspondingly polygonal ornoncircular configuration of the central opening through the sleeve 43so that when the tool is in use the tool holder will not rotate to thecasing 30 and member 4|. I

It is also to be noted in Figure 6 that the core relative with theimplement of my invention, the attach; ment plug is connected to asource of alter-'- nating current as, for example, a current of liqvolts having a frequency of sixty cycles per sec- 0nd, although currentsof other voltage and frequency may be used. When the current cycle is atits peak, the relatively movable core section I! is drawn toward thestationary core section II further compressing the spring l5. Suchmovement temporarily relieves spring H of most or all of its compressivestress and core section It may move away from the anvil 62. As thecurrent decreases from its peak to zero value, the "magnetic pull" ofcore section II upon core section I0 is reduced substantially to zeroand the stored energy of compression in the spring |5 imparts to coresection l0 a strong force impinging the core section upon the anvil 62thus exerting force through tubular member 6| to the striker member 60.It is to be noted that with the tool holder normally in position shownin Figure 2 at its outermost position with the flange 49 in engagementwith the flange of member 4|, the striker member 60 will be reciprocatedby the movement of core section l0 but does not impinge upon the end ofthe tool holder 46. This movement of the core section is transmitted tospring member 61 and plunger 65 which are caused to vibrate but nomovement is transmitted to'the tool holder. When, however, the tool 5|carried by the tool holder 46 is pressed upon the object 0, upon whichwork is to be performed, thus moving the shoulder 49 of the tool holderaway from engagement with the internal wall of flange 45 of member 4| asshown in Figure 4, this position of the tool holder closes up the gapbetween the striker member 66 and the striking face of the tool holderso that the reciprocatory movement of the core section I0 is thentransmitted to the tool holder through the striker member thence to tool5| and the object 0. As illustrated in Figure 4, as long as the shoulder48 of the tool holder 46 floats in the space in the sleeve 43 thereciprocatory movements of core section III in the direction of the toolholder causes an impingement of force upon the tool holder through thestriking member at each alternation of the electric current passingthrough coil 26 and thus provides a. continuous rapid hammering actionof the tool 5| upon the work or object O, the number of impulses persecond being equal to the frequency of the current alternations. Thus,in this form of the invention, it is necessary that the operator pressthe tool 5| against the work to cause the tool holder to be retractedinto the path of the striker member 60 in order to impart a drivingforce to the tool. Otherwise, if the tool 5| is removed from pressurecontact with the object 0, tool holder 46 is immediately moved under theinfluence of plunger and spring 61 until its shoulder portion 49contacts with flange 45 and further reciprocatory movement is impartedonly to striker member 60 as long as the current supply is connected bythe striker member and does not contact the tool holder 46 so that nomovement of the latter takes place.

In the event that it is desired to shorten or decrease the effectiveforce or stroke of core sec tion M, the member 4| may be threaded towardthe casing 30 carrying with it the inner sleeve 43 which acts upon thewasher or disk "to further compress-balance spring 1|. With thisincrease in compressive stress of the, balance spring II, thecompressive stress is correspondingly increased upon spring I5 and theeffect is {to further decrease the air gap I2 between the core sectionsl0 and H and thus decrease the amplitude or eflfective distance throughwhich the core section l0 moves under the influence of the alternatingcurrent and consequently decreases the stroke of the core section with aconsequent decrease in the force applied upon the tool holder and thetool 5|. By this manner, the efiective driving force acting upon thetool holder may be regulated to provide various lengths of stroke ofcore section Ill with a consequent regulation of the amount of impingingforce imparted to the tool 5|, but the reciprocating frequency or theperiodicity of vibration of the core section remains in constantsynchronism with the phase of the electric current.

Thus, it will be seen that whenever the tool 5| is lifted from the workor object O that no vibration of the tool or tool holder takes place.

In Figures 7 to 9 I have illustrated a modified form of the inventionwherein there is a general similarity in construction with thearrangement of the invention as disclosed in Figure 2, but the actionand operation of the structure is modified. This form of the inventionis inclusive of the relatively movable and stationary core sections l0and II normally separated by ga l2, the core sections being centrallybored out to accommodate a spring I5. The core sections are mounted within a sleeve or tube l9 which is in turn surrounded by an energizing coil26 positioned within a casing 30', there being closure plates 32' and36, the casing and closure plates and a bushing 34 being of ferrousmetal to form with the core sections a substantially completed magneticpath. The coil structure and easing structures are substantially of thesame form as hereinbefore described in connection with the arrangementillustrated in Figure 2.

The sleeve I9 has an enlarged portion 31' which projects exteriorly ofthe casing 30' and is of polygonal exterior configuration, in theembodiment illustrated this configuration being hexagonal, which isresiliently contacted by a spring 11 carried in a groove 16 in theenlarged portion 15' of member 4|. The sleeve I9 is also formed with anexteriorly threaded extension 40 and the interior wall of member 4| iscorrespondingly threaded and is thus mounted upon the portion 40, themember 4| being movable longitudinally of the projecting portion 4|! byrotation of member 4|. Slidably mounted within the interior ofprojecting portion 40' is a sleeve 43 which abuts at its outer end theflange 45' of member 4|. Slidably positioned within the sleeve 43' is atool holder 48', the exterior surface of the tool holder 48' and theinterior walls of the sleeve 43 and flange 45' are of noncircularconfiguration, as illustrated in Figure 9, so that the tool 5| carriedby the tool holder 48' does not rotate with. respect to member 4| sothat the tool does not rotate with respect to the casing when the toolis in operation. The tool holder 46' has a reduced tenon or extension 6|which carries at its upper extremity the anvil 62', the latter beingprovided with a tenon 63' which is threaded into or otherwise secured toportion 6 of the tool holder 46'.

slidably mounted upon the portion 6| of the tool holder is the washer ordisk 10' and interposed between the anvil 62' and disk 10 isa balancespring II i The operation of this form of the invention is edlysupported member; a tool holder slidably mounted within said secondmentioned sleeve;

. an anvil-slidably positioned adjacent said second as follows: Theenergization'of coil 26 by con- .necting the same to a source ofalternating current causes core section lll' to be momentarily drawntoward core section I l', decreasing air gap l2, compressing spring i5,thus storing up potential energy in the spring which, when the currentphase reaches a zero value, causes the magnetic attraction between coresections l and II to be substantially decreased to a zero value andallowing the expansive force of, spring Hi to drive core section Inagainst the anvil 62 thus imparting a driving force directly upon thetool holder 48" and tool In the operation of this form of the invention,whenever the coil 26' is energized the repeated reciprocatory orhammering action of the relatively movable core section III is impartedto the tool holder 48' so that it is unnecessary that a predeterminedamount of pressure be exerted by tool 5| against the object upon whichwork is to be performed. In this form of the invention as in the formshown in Figure 2, however, the magnitude and length of the stroke orreciprocatory movement of core section l0 may be regulated by rotatingmember movements of core section I0 are thereby decreased and thus theefiective driving pressure upon the anvil 62' and tool holder 48' iscorrespondingly decreased. In this manner, by regulating the position ofthe member 4! withrespect to the casing 30', a very infinitely smallreciprocatory movement of tool 5| may be had, or the movement of thetool may be increased and a corresponding increase in driving force ofcore section III had by threading member 4i away from the casing 30'.The limit of movement in attaining the efiective driving force upon tool5| is an adjustment of head 4| to that position where the balance springII is out of range of efiective movement of the anvil 62' as the balancespring ll must be under a compressive stress in order to retract thecore section I 0 away from the tool holder, otherwise, there would be noeifective driving force actin upon the tool holder.

It is apparent that within the scope of the invention, modifications anddifierent arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed, andthe present disclosure i illustrative merely, the inventioncomprehending all variations thereof.

What I claim is:

1. In an electrically actuated tool, the combination of a casing;relatively stationary and movable core section in said casing; a springinterposed between said core sections for normally separating the same;a coil for energizing said core sections; a sleeve surrounding said coresections and having a threaded projecting portion; a member threadedlysupported upon said sleeve; 9. second sleeve positioned within theprojecting portion of said first mentioned mentioned sleeve; and aspring interposed between the second -mentioned sleeve and said anviL,

2. In an electrically actuated tool, the combination of relativelystationary and movable magnetizable core sections in axial alignmenteach provided with a recess; a spring located within said recessesinterposed between said core sections for normally separating the same;a coil for periodically attracting said core sections together, therebycompressing said spring and stor- F spring urging said anvil in contactwith said relatively movable core section; and a memberv threadedlysupported upon said sleeve having means coacting with the secondmentioned spring for adjusting the tool holder with respect to themovable core section.

3. In an electrically actuated tool, the combination of a casing;relatively stationary and movable core sections in said casing; a springinterposed between said core sections for normally separating the same;a coil for energizing said core sections; a sleeve surrounding said coresections and having a threaded projecting portion; a member threadedlysupported upon said sleeve; a second sleeve positioned within theprojecting portion of said first mentioned sleeve; a tool holderslidably mounted in said second mentioned sleeve; an anvil slidablypositioned in said second mentioned sleeve; a spring interposed betweensaid second sleeve and said anvil; said first mentioned sleeve having apolygonal peripheral portion; and flexible means carried by theadjustable member and engageable with the polygonal periphery of saidsleeve for adjusting the toolholder with respect to the anvil.

4. In an electrically actuated tool, the combination of a casing; arelatively stationary core section; a movable core section; a springinterposed between said core sections for normally separating the same;a coil for energizing said core sections; a sleeve surrounding said coresections and spring; a member movably supported upon said sleevecarrying a projecting flange located within said sleeve; a tool holderslidably mounted within said flange; an anvil member positioned betweensaid tool holder and said core section; a spring interposed between saidprojecting flange and said anvil member for urging the latter inengagement with said movable core section whereby movement imparted tosaid flange by said movable member changes the tension of both of saidsprings.

5. A device of the class described, in combination, a supportingstructure; a magnetizable core having relatively stationary and movablesections carried by said supporting structure; a spring interposedbetween said core sections for normally separating the same; a currentconducting coil surrounding said magnetizable core intermittentlyenergized for attracting said core sections together thereby compressingsaid spring storing potential energy therein; a reciprocatory toolholder adjacent said movable core carried by said supporting structure;a sleeve carried by said supporting structure surrounding said toolholder; an anvil interposed between said tool holder and movable core; acoil spring contacting with said sleeve and anvil for opposing movementof said movable core section toward said tool holder when the potentialenergy stored in said first mentioned spring is released; a slidablymounted plunger in engagement with said tool holder; and a third springmeans interposed between said plunger and said anvil.

6. A device of the class described, in combination, a casing; aperiodically energized current conducting coil positioned within saidcasing; a magnetizable core including relatively stationary and movablesections periodically urged together by the energization of said coil; arecess in said core sections; a spring positioned within said recess fornormally separating said movable and stationary core sections, saidspring adapted to store energy when said sections are urged together bythe magnetizing action of said coil; a sleeve surrounding said coresections and having a projecting portion; a tool holding means slidablymounted adjacent the projecting portion of said sleeve adapted toreceive through the movement of thevmovable core the energy stored insaid spring; a second spring positioned within said sleeve adjacent tosaid tool holding means for opposing the separation of the relativelymovable core section from the stationary core section; and a resilientlymounted plunger interacting with said movable core section and said toolholding means and being in contact with the latter.

'7. In an electrically actuated tool, the combination of a casing;relatively stationary and movable magnetizable core sections in saidcasing provided with axially aligned recesses; a spring of non-magneticmaterial interposed between said core sections and being positionedwithin said aligned recesses for normally separating the same; a coilalternatingly energized for magnetizing said core sections therebyperiodically compressing said spring and storing potential energytherein; an anvil; a tool holder actuated by energy stored in saidspring acting on the anvil through said movable core section; a secondspring urging said anvil into engagement with the relatively movablecore section; and means for changing the initial position of said toolholder relative to said casing.

8. A device of the class described, in combination, a casing; movablecoreslidably located within said casing having a hollow section; aspring located within said hollow core section for normally holding saidcore in one position; a current conducting coil alternatingly energizedfor periodically compressing and thereby storing potential energy insaid spring; a tool holder carried by said casing; an anvil; a secondaryspring contacting with said anvil for urging the anvil into engagementwith the movable core to follow the latter when the same is moved tocompress said first mentioned spring whereby when movement is impartedto the movable core by the energy stored in said first spring the sameis transmitted through the anvil to the tool holder; and manuallyoperable means coacting with said tool holder and secondary spring forchanging the initial tension of the latter and the position of th toolholder with respect to the casing for varying the impact of said movablecore upon said tool holder.

J'OHN YOUNG.

